The Homicide Bureau investigates and prosecutes all homicides in Erie County. Cases are developed by assistant district attorneys through the use of forensic evidence, fingerprint and ballistic evidence, autopsies and DNA testing. They also routinely participate in the interview of suspects and the preparation of search warrants, making certain that these investigative techniques do not run afoul of the often complex legal pitfalls that could be fatal to a successful criminal prosecution.
As head of the Homicide Bureau, Chief Gary W. Hackbush is responsible for the prosecution of all (non-vehicular) homicides. He supervises a team of Assistant District Attorneys and Confidential Criminal Investigators, while maintaining his own caseload. Chief Hackbush is on-call 24 hours a day to advise police agencies on matters of charging, obtaining search warrants, evidence collection, witness and suspect interviews.